We have a boat that was Peters pride and joy it is a Riviera 40 Platinum we spent many days on the boat, if Peter was
feeling down, we would just go down to the boat, Peter would tinker about, then we would sit and have a beer and wine and
just relax and watch the sun go down, its memories like that, that keeps me going.
Peter loved his family. They came first with him. He was lucky he saw 2 of his sons married and he walked his 2 daughters
down the isle.
His 1st daughter Peta was married on the 23rd Dec 06 at Opera Point in Circular Quay.
Peter came out of hospital on the 22nd he was in a wheelchair but when it was time to walk her down the isle he got out of
the chair and walked her down, he was a very strong man.
Peter’s health started to slide about that time nothing serious
just different things I noticed. He still exercised a couple of times a week.
His second daughter Kate was married at Riverside Oaks in November
2007
Peter and the Boys
We had 18 months of in and out of hospital. When we came back from Tahiti we noticed Peter’s
stomach was a little bigger than usual.
We thought he had put on some weight on holidays. We checked it with the Dr.
and he told us to come in and see him.
As you can guess the meso had gone to his stomach!!!
(we didn’t think meso travelled)
They decided to drain the fluid from his tummy, well I couldn’t believe it. They guided
a needle using ultra sound into his stomach, the needle was about 10 inches long, it was very uncomfortable (just thinking about
it makes me cry)
They would drain about 5-6 liters of fluid at a time. The drawback with draining the fluid,
is it comes straight back and Peter had this done once a week.
Eventually they put a port in so Peter could have the
drainage at home. The community nurses would come and drain it for him, and at least it was more relaxing for him.
At this stage I knew things were not good so I asked the nurses what to expect.
They said Peter would get to the stage where he would not want to eat much, he would get tired, he would get to the stage
where he didn’t want to get out of bed, shower etc etc, it would be over a period of 2-3 weeks.
So I thought ok none of that has happen yet so I’m ok we have a lot more time.
What I didn’t know was Peter's kidneys would start to fail and there is not much you can do when that happens.
He had to have blood test twice a week to check his kidneys.
I always thought Peter would be here at Christmas time.
Peter had his last blood test on Tuesday 9th Dec 08. His Dr rang me and said he didn’t think Peter had much time left.
I said to the Dr. "He will be here for Christmas?" he said," I don’t think so."
I got off the phone and thought its
only 2 weeks until Christmas. That’s when I started to get scared. I rang the kids and told them to come and see dad on
the Tuesday night, I told them what the Dr had told me, (I still had not told Peter).
They where all in shock.
On the Wednesday Peter was tired. It was the first day he didn’t want to get out of bed.
The kids came home again. His
second son Jason and I got him to the shower and I showered him and then Jason helped me get him back to bed.
On Thursday he didn’t get out of bed the nurses came to drain him but they took one look at him and took me down stairs
and told me he would not make it through they day.
(what happen to the 2-3 weeks?)
I was in shock (I was banking
on the 2-3 weeks). I told them they didn’t know what they were talking about and went back up to Peter in bed and just
laid with him.
I did have some friends with me who helped me through the day. I rang the kids again and told them to
come straight home. They could not believe the difference in Peter from the Tuesday to Thursday.
All I can be thankful for is he didn’t suffer the indignity of having people taking him to the toilet etc. He would have
hated that.
I won't go into the details, I got into bed with Peter and he passed in my arms at 3.00am 12th
December 08.
I’m glad I was with him.
I think of how he looked. I always believe you remember the person how you last saw them, but
I would not have it any other way with Peter. It was as we both wanted him to pass. At home in the comfort of his own bed.
I will end my story the way I started it.
Peter was my Hero and I loved him very much and I miss him so very much.
I can’t explain the pain I go through every day (I know a lot of you have been there). They say, just think of all the
good times you had and time will heal !
All I ask is how much time.
Dear Deidre I know I have gone on and on but
it has helped me a lot to get it of my chest,Regards from Ann
